Manager loses RM329,400 to Macau scam

KUCHING: A local woman is said to be the latest victim of a Macau scam, in which she reported losses of RM329,400.

The 52-year-old complainant, who is an administration manager of a company, is said to have incurred Goods and Services Tax (GST) debts, and also involvement in some drug and money-laundering cases.

According to Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Supt Mustafa Kamal Gani Abdullah, the woman had on March 27 this year received a phone call from a Chinese man, who introduced himself as representing the he Putrajaya Customs Department.

The Chinese man told the woman that there were GST debts amounting to RM51,076, recorded from June 12, 2017 to January last year, linked to a company opened in Penang.

“The victim denied this, stating that she never registered or even had any company in Penang. The Chinese man then transferred the line to a ‘police officer’ from Penang police headquarters.

“This was when the woman was told about another case involving drug syndicates and money laundering,” Mustafa Kamal said in a statement here yesterday.

The woman denied all the allegations, but the police officer ordered her to cooperate with him – however, he also ordered her to keep it a secret, as he was investigating the cases.

Mustafa Kamal said the woman was then asked by the officer to withdraw all her money and transfer it into five different bank accounts.

“Between April 2 and 5, there were 31 transfers of RM329,400 made into five different bank accounts, which the officer alleged as belonging to the auditors of the Auditor-General’s Department.